VIDEO: Reid Closes Down the Senate
VIDEO: Reid Closes Down the Senate
Minority Leader Harry Reid today forced the Senate into a rare, secret closed door session, threatening to delay legislative action until the Intelligence Committee followed through on its planned investigation of prewar Iraq intelligence failures.
Transcript below:
SEN. HARRY REID: America deserves better than this. They also deserve a searching and comprehensive investigation into how the Bush administration brought this country to war. Key questions that need to be answered include:
– How did the Bush administration assemble its case for war against Iraq? We heard what Colonel Wilkerson said.
– Who did the Bush administration officials listen to and who did they ignore?
– How did the senior administration officials manipulate or manufacture intelligence presented to the Congress and the American people?
– What was the role of the White House Iraq Group, or WHIG, a group of senior White House officials tasked with marketing the war and taking down its critics? We know what Colonel Wilkerson says.
– How did the administration coordinate its efforts to attack individuals who dared to challenge the administration’s assertions? We know what happened to them — I listed a few.
– Why has this administration failed to provide Congress with the documents that would shed light on their misconduct and the misstatements?Unfortunately, the Senate committee that should be taking the lead in providing these answers is not. Despite the fact that the chairman of Senate Intelligence Committee publicly committed to examine these questions more than a year and a half ago, he has chosen not to keep that commitment. Despite the fact that he restated the commitment earlier this year on national television, he has still done nothing. …
Mr. President, enough time has gone by. I demand on behalf of the American people that we understand why these investigations aren’t being conducted, and in accordance with Rule 21, I now move that Senate go into closed session.
SEN. DICK DURBIN: Mr. President, I second the motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: The motion has been made to go into closed session, and it has been seconded. The motion having been made and seconded, the Senate will go into closed session. The chair, pursuant to Rule 21, now directs the sergeant at arms to clear all galleries, close all doors of the Senate chamber, and exclude from the chamber and its immediate corridors all employees and officials of this Senate who under the rule are not eligible to attend this closed session and are not sworn to secrecy. The question is nondebatable.
UPDATE: Crooks and Liars has video of Reid’s press conference.
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Do you know how ridiculous it’s going to sound when the next yahoo says “no indictment on the primary charge is a victory”????????????????????????
I swear to god the dems planned this knowing a Rove indictment was coming!!!
November 1st, 2005 at 5:34 pmSo much for Georgie trying to distract the people from the coming Rove indictment with the bird flu speech this morning. Bird flu — BOO!
November 1st, 2005 at 5:38 pmI (heart) Harry Reid!
What a dumb, meaningless stunt. It sure didn’t take the Dems long to go into panic mode. Let’s review their recent bad news, shall we?
Successful constitutional negotiations in Iraq.
Increasing competence of Iraqi army and security forces.
Panic letter from Zawahiri to Zarqawi.
Successful constitutional elections in Iraq.
U.S. economy perking right along at 3 percent or more for 30 straight months (better than Clinton’s record).
Gas prices falling.
Miers nomination withdrawn.
No finding of crime or criminal conspiracy to leak Plame’s name (and Joe Wilson still a proven liar, according to the Senate Intelligence Committee).
Libby hit with meaningless “Martha Stewart” indictment (meaningless, that is, to everyone except Libby).
Alito nominated, unifying GOP base.
Gang of 14 senators already saying “no filibuster.”
It’s tough to be a Dem these days. No wonder they are reduced to throwing temper tantrums in public.
November 1st, 2005 at 5:41 pmWhatever you say, BSR!
November 1st, 2005 at 5:42 pmWell done, Mr. Reid. This was fantastically played on the heels of the Libby indictment. Not only does it make clear the connection between the Plame leak and the Bush administration’s use of bogus intelligence in pushing Iraq on the American public, it also pulls the media away from Bush’s playing to fundamentalists on Alito.
Thanks for uploading the video.
November 1st, 2005 at 5:42 pmYour videos never work for me, I always get this message: “-3285: Disconnected”
November 1st, 2005 at 5:43 pmI’m glad the dems have finally shown some gutts!! Keeping (mostly) silent because the others have the majority has not been of any help to democracy or to a debate that is most necessary.
November 1st, 2005 at 5:44 pm#7 John – Sounds like it could be a firewall issue on your end. Video is working fine.
November 1st, 2005 at 5:44 pmhttp://crooksandliars.com/
November 1st, 2005 at 5:45 pm#4-
November 1st, 2005 at 5:45 pmSure sounds like a victory statement by Jeff Davis.
“It’s tough to be a Dem these days. No wonder they are reduced to throwing temper tantrums in public.
Comment by Blue State Red”
Ironic coming from you. You and your childish friends throw temper tantrums daily here. You’d think having all branches of the federal government would be enough for republicans, but you guys are so psychotic you can’t even allow disent. You’re all such a pathetic mess. No wonder so many of you are serial killers, sex offenders and terrorists.
November 1st, 2005 at 5:45 pmHarry is demanding accountability for the failures of the NeoCons! But accountability and responsibility are the two traits that virtually every republican is devoid of.
November 1st, 2005 at 5:47 pmBull Shit eR, That dopey list is so damn backwards I would not even know where to start to respond.
November 1st, 2005 at 5:49 pmTalk about panic and desperation.
Have we screamed loudly enough? Have the Democrats grown a spine?
November 1st, 2005 at 5:49 pmBetter late than never — I hope it’s not too late, but this is a beginning to (I hope) the end of the Bush reign.
Blue State Red is a nut case!!! Iraq is a complete disaster and you must be blind not to realize it. The US really does not deserve this… or such short-minded persons!!
November 1st, 2005 at 5:49 pmBSR,
Your rant is not only littered with falsehoods, it’s just laughably stupid – just like you. You’re a propagandists dream – too stupid and lazy to do your own homework, and too desperate to believe a lie to change your own bad habits.
November 1st, 2005 at 5:53 pmHistory will show how silly it was for someone only qualified in whisper campaigns and politics of personal destruction being put in control of our NATIONAL SECURITY.
November 1st, 2005 at 5:53 pmWhat the trolls here will never understand is that we would demand accountability on an issue this important from the Democrats as well as the Republicans. They cannot say the same.
November 1st, 2005 at 5:53 pm[...] >> VIDEO: Reid Closes Down the Senate >> Video of CNN’s Cafferty: We have a right to know. >> Reid’s assault on Senate GOP >> Senate Meets in Closed Door Session >> Professional smear artist Michelle Malkin calls it a temper tantrum and tries to give Democrats “advice”. Again, I say, shut the eff up. >> Glenn Reynolds compares dead soldiers in Iraq to Bill Clinton’s marital infidelity. Does the RNC pay in cash or checks, Glenn? >> Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid’s Stock Moves Strongly Up >> According to the increasingly incoherent Jeff Goldstein, Democrats are destroying America by insisting that the Senate… do it’s job. The bastards! [...]
November 1st, 2005 at 5:53 pmSwingly,
BSR has consistently demostrated that he’s retarded, today is no different.
November 1st, 2005 at 5:53 pmHow did a powerless failure governor of TEXAS become president?????????????????????????
November 1st, 2005 at 5:55 pmThe goddamn dog catcher is more powerful than the f*cking governor in Texas! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you Harry Reid. Thank you! BRAVO!
November 1st, 2005 at 5:56 pmThe Economy Grew 4.2 Percent in 1999 — amd ot was the Fourth Consecutive Year of 4+ Percent Growth.
This is the longest period of 4+ percent growth since the early 1960s. At the same time, America created more than 20 million new jobs since President Clinton came into office, enjoyed the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years, and the lowest underlying core rate of inflation in over 35 years.
November 1st, 2005 at 5:57 pmWho was presiding over the Senate when Reid made his motion? My ability to recognize senators on sight is limited.
November 1st, 2005 at 5:57 pm#22
November 1st, 2005 at 6:00 pmTwo words. Abortion and taxes. He led these stupid Republicans down the garden path and screwed them. The problem is, he screws us all at the same time. BSR thank you for your undying support. What a patriot.
I don’t know Ryan, when bsr first showed up, he wasn’t such a putz. He was just a little “out of the republican closet”. But I will agree that our growing trollbase seems to set them all to panic mode for any given topic.
Give ‘em hell Harry! Now, what ARE the proper etiquitte rules for filibustering anyhow? Does he have to make tea & cucumber sandwiches?
November 1st, 2005 at 6:00 pmto blue state red. Listen to your pathetic Senator Frist. All he needed were the tears. Republicans like you like to dish it out but can’t take it.
you are just another cry baby BSR
November 1st, 2005 at 6:04 pmI hereby move that Sen. Reid be henceforth known by the same name as the wife of Dances With Wolves:
Call him Senator Harry “Stands With Fist” Reid!
Give ‘em hell, Harry!!!
November 1st, 2005 at 6:05 pmThey’ve threatened and have been tring to do this for a year and a half. Any Republican who says this is a surprise to them is a Republican who clearly hasn’t been listening to the other side and was too busy, wrapped in his own agenda. That, or the Republican is just simply evil.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:05 pmIraq is Great! Black is White!! George Orwell’s Animal Farm becomes reality!!
& more soldiers killed in Iraq today…meanhile GWB calles for yet another big budget give away…this time $7 billion that will no doubt go to pharmy corps…Conservatives should be as concerned about Bush as progressives…by my estimation the current budget deficit will mean that ordinaryu middle class americans can be expected to pay an additional $187,000 in taxes over the next 25 years…and we don’t even know what the cost of the Iraqi war will be…
November 1st, 2005 at 6:05 pmRyan Neat: thanks for ellucidating – I’m new in this board.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:05 pmWhat were those guys doing there sitting on the floor? At the very end of the video you can see them stand up and walk off. Were they smoking some bud?
November 1st, 2005 at 6:08 pmIf you want to thank Reid, go to GiveEmHellHarry.com
November 1st, 2005 at 6:09 pmDespite what the trolls say, GOP are glad for this. It’s like going to the doctor finally.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:11 pmAnd another thing.. If I hear one more time there’s no evidence that there was a conspiracy, that Rove did anything, the Cheney did anything wrong, etc., I’m going to go nuts! After 2 years of investigating, there is no doubt that there’s TONS of evidence of SOMETHING, but since the Special Counsel statute isn’t as gratuitous in its disclosure of findings as was the Independent Counsel statute, we don’t get to hear all of the evidence Special Prosecutor Fitzgerald found.
We must find out the story here. This story must not be buried as yesterday’s news!
November 1st, 2005 at 6:12 pmSwingly,
Welcome!
Just so you know, the troll aliases always start by pretending to be ‘reasonable’, but they all end up spewing the same propaganda and lies eventually. The ‘pretense’ quickly disappears into the same set of crap that Hannity, Limbaugh and the rest of the professional liars spew.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:16 pm“No wonder so many of you are serial killers, sex offenders and terrorists.”
Typical lefty – all slime and no substance.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:18 pmI didn’t see a denial there, BSR.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:19 pm#37
Like a slow motion funny car wipeout.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:20 pmBravo, Harry! Bravo!
November 1st, 2005 at 6:21 pmBlue State Red – Have you ever noticed how Ryan throws like a girl – the poor thing “argues” like a 6 yr. old. The Democrat plan for Iraq:
November 1st, 2005 at 6:22 pma.) tell the anti-democratic Islamofascists our timetable for leaving (they can plan REAL mayhem then).
b.) patiently explain that the NEXT time a “leader” of a country plans the assasination of a former US President, they’ll get VERY, VERY, upset. (They won’t do anything, in the same model as Bill Clinton – but they’ll get MAD!)
c.) explain to our closest ally in the Middle East(Israel) that they are now on their own – after all, in an effort to be “fair” many Dems now support political “freedom fighters” like Hamas.
d.) dismantle our military – think of the savings for more welfare programs!!!!!! (Deadbeat voters support more government dole.)
ma,
A. Check
November 1st, 2005 at 6:25 pmB. If it’s Bush
C. Check
D. Check
BSR reminds me of the fellow who continuously hit himself in the head with a hammer. When asked why he responded “Because it feels so good when I stop.” And the fellow who dropped a quarter from his pocket into the porta-potty hole when he stood up. He pulled out a twenty dollar bill from has wallet and dropped it in also. When asked why he responded “Do you think I would go down there for just a quarter?” The Repugs create their own concept of reality and when faced with an obvious contradiction invent some hair-brained non-sequitor to explain their original mis-conceptions. The time has come bushco: fess up and get out or clam up and be thrown out via Leavenworth.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:25 pmI’ll bet Israel has more Dem support than Neocon support, Mighty.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:27 pm#3 – you are absolutely right. This is another act of desperation a la the Democratic Party. They have no agenda, but to make sure we lose the War on Terror and it will not stand with the American people.
As conditions improve, troops come home, GOP witch-hunt targets are acquitted and gas falls on low demand the left will have to answer to the American people next year. What have you been up to since 2004 – peddling smear and hate. What a great agenda.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:27 pmGood man, Harry.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:28 pm“Atilla does not have race quotas. Hurrah”
“I like race quota exceptions for Condi”
“Judges should think like me”
-Direct quotes from Mr. Northeast Dilemma.
Did I get it right, NED?
November 1st, 2005 at 6:30 pm#46
“As conditions improve, troops come home, GOP witch-hunt targets are acquitted and gas falls on low demand the left will have to answer to the American people next year. What have you been up to since 2004 – peddling smear and hate.”
Good one. Conditions are not improving, no matter how many times you say it.
Troops coming home? That is what our side wants duffus.
Your criminals will go to jail.
Gas falls on low demand? Yeah because all you NeoCons are going to sell your big ass SUVs?
Oh and we learned how to smear from your side of the aisle.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:31 pm#48 – STFU. You represent everything that is wrong with liberalism today. When this blows up in your face, I fully intend to come back here and gloat.
When Democrats burn another election because of their hate, we will point and laugh like we always do.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:32 pmWait, I got the wording wrong:
“Alito is against race based preferences like affirmative action – like most of America is. That is a good thing.â€
“Bush can appoint Condi to VP and try to “heal†the country. The first female and black VP – major achievementâ€
“he will pack the Court with judges that think like me!
-Northeast Dilemma
November 1st, 2005 at 6:33 pm#49 – the left-wing witch hunt is over. You will people will be exposed as the frauds you are and this will all backfire. By then, it will be too late. America will have already tuned you out.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:33 pmI’m on you like stink on s*it, NED.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:35 pmHoly shit, the Dems have balls …
November 1st, 2005 at 6:36 pm“Increasing competence of Iraqi army and security forces.”
Cool – since you seem to be an expert on the subject, how long before they can protect our kids from getting blown to bits?
November 1st, 2005 at 6:37 pmFor the record? I am:
-Politically conservative
-Socially liberal
-Pro-life
We’ll get you out of the GOP, NED.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:37 pm#50, How about addressing the facts and not simply repeating talk points over and over. Those ARE your quotes aren’t they? Getting angry when people make you look like an idiot with your own words?
And I’m not quite sure how Democrats are more hateful than Republicans…um, I’ve yet to hear any Democrats in the past few years talk about turning large portions of the world to glass, killing minorities, killing homosexuals, advocating torture, etc.
I guess its annoying when facts get in the way of your talking points, eh?
November 1st, 2005 at 6:38 pm[...] Harry! [...]
November 1st, 2005 at 6:38 pmEven more than usual, the trolls on this site are making me laugh today.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:39 pmMarie – why would you be laughing at us? We just won a huge victory on the Supreme Court and Rove has not been indicted. Why would you be happy watching your own party implode? Why?
#57 – You are spewing lies – Republicans do not stand for what you say you slanderous pig.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:41 pm[...] Harry! [...]
November 1st, 2005 at 6:42 pmHarry Reid in 2008! I just called his office at (202) 224-3542 to thank this great senator from Nevada.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:44 pmGod bless the Democratic Party! Evil will not triumph, it never has. Thanks to all those (to the left of center) who post thier thoughts on this site. Go Team Blue!
November 1st, 2005 at 6:44 pmTHERE IT IS!!!!!!!
The “Rove wasn’t indicted so it’s a victory” celebration of the OTHER indictment defense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 1st, 2005 at 6:44 pm[...] http://thinkprogress.org/2005/11/01/video-closed-session/ [...]
November 1st, 2005 at 6:44 pmYOU ARE A F*CKING MONKEY NED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 1st, 2005 at 6:45 pmOH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#52
As I said in the other thread:
Bring it on bitch! I will be looking for you. You won’t “crush me” you won’t do anything to me. Your words are empty threats. You are a scared little baby that is too afraid to serve in the military. As soon as you are ready let me know.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:46 pmEasy on the cool-aid NED
November 1st, 2005 at 6:47 pmNED,
Did you ever get your $20.25 back? See #44. I apologize, you and BSR all smell the same to me.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:49 pmOf course Repugs do not stand for anything. They just leave a trail of slime. I love pouring salt on them and watching them writhe and shrink – better yet, put a bowl of beer in the garden and let them drink themselves into oblivion.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:49 pmRegardless of the outcome of legal proceedings – these senior administration officials, Mr. Rove and Mr. Libby lied to the American people personally and through the President’s official spokesperson. Now that I. Lewis Libby has been indicted for several felony crimes and Karl Rove is in legal jeopardy. What are the top ten things we learn about the issues and people at the core of President Bush’s administration?
1. Bringing integrity back to the white house means replacing a man who embarrassed himself and his supporters with very his poor personal judgment; with a man who’s closest circle of advisers include opportunistic liars.
2. Un-indicted liars are still worthy of important positions and trust in today’s Presidential administration.
3. Liars are encouraged – when that behavior supports Presidential goals.
4. Self seeking is defensible even when innocent lives are at stake.
5. Presidential allegiance justifies duplicity and public fraud.
6. Leadership isn’t about being right – it’s about appearing right.
7. Our president must employ a liar on his staff; otherwise his administration will apparently collapse.
8. The strength of the arguments for the Iraq war were so weak that the criticism posed by a single man forced a Presidential campaign to malign and discredit his conscientious dissent.
9. Mustering all the senior advisors into the oval office; turning off the lights – and telling the leaker to leave his badge on the way out – wasn’t tried.
10. It is hard to imagine the President calling Mr. Wilson and apologizing on behalf of his administration.
November 1st, 2005 at 6:50 pmGive ‘em Hell Harry.
My only gripe would be the title of this post. Reid “closing down the Seante” is overly negative. Try “Reid Calls Secret Session, Demands GOP Accountability”. You get the idea. Don’t get me wrong, I Thinkprogress has become invaluable. Keep up the chops…
November 1st, 2005 at 6:53 pmBravo to Reid, that’s 1 for the good side. Now let’s hope they all get some common sence and balls enough to finish the job. Dig up all the lies and expose them to all the public. Demand impeachment and or indict, jail and punish all the liers and thieves on any side. Clean the Senate, House and white house starting now. If not,shut everything down and go home. Frit’s the wind bag had lot’s to say, what crap he can spew when his is caught in the wringer. Any one know how the investigation against him is going.? The worst bunch in our countries history are now in office. I never thought I would see such a mess. Hope they get these guys…..Blessings
November 1st, 2005 at 6:56 pmReid is a real patriot, not like the trolls and republican traitors and terrorists who prefer to murder in the name of ‘good’, and who start wars instead of actually caring to stop terrorism. Bush has no incentive to reduce terrorism, because the fear of terrorism is the only thing that got him elected. That’s also why terrorism around the world has radically increased under the bush administration.
The morons of the right always talk about ‘fighting them there so we won’t have to fight them here’, but clearly this didn’t work in Spain or England. These retarded little irresponsible children who follow republicans off the cliff are so sad and symbolic of rightwing values. They prefer to live in delusion instead of being a responsible citizen individually or internationally. They’re truly the product of a ’spoiled’ generation.
November 1st, 2005 at 7:07 pmI’m thrilled that the Democratic leadership is finally growing some balls. Harry Reid, you are a great American. It’ll be great to see some patriots finally get together to put this corrupt administration out of business.
39%!!!!! and falling fast…
November 1st, 2005 at 7:12 pmThe Dems have grown cojones! Way to go! About time and keep it up. The emperor has no clothes…
Vote for Resident Bush
http://www.geocities.com/themissingPproject
November 1st, 2005 at 7:16 pmThe GOP staged this. They want out.
November 1st, 2005 at 7:17 pmThe Democrat plan for Iraq:
a.) tell the anti-democratic Islamofascists our timetable for leaving (they can plan REAL mayhem then).”
—-Like the timetable Bush requested for Kosovo? http://www.issues2000.org/George_W__Bush_Kosovo.htm
b.) patiently explain that the NEXT time a “leader†of a country plans the assasination of a former US President, they’ll get VERY, VERY, upset. (They won’t do anything, in the same model as Bill Clinton – but they’ll get MAD!)
—-Let’s see- sending 23 Tomahawks into the Iraqi Intelligence Sevice in June of 1993 might be considered “nothing” compared to the wholesale invasion of a country and the loss of over 2000 troops and counting, but at $3 million a missle it seems like a bargain now.
http://www.geocities.com/tom_slouck/iraq/bush_assass_attempt_allegation.html
“c.) explain to our closest ally in the Middle East(Israel) that they are now on their own – after all, in an effort to be “fair†many Dems now support political “freedom fighters†like Hamas.”
—-There is absolutely no proof to either of these statements, other than the fact that Israeli hardline groups generally support Bush b/c he’s having our troops kill Arabs in the Middle East. The only “Freedom Fighter” statement made by any official was made by someone in the EU, not in the Democratic Party.
d.) dismantle our military – think of the savings for more welfare programs!!!!!! (Deadbeat voters support more government dole.)
—-Instead, we’ll go into debt farming out the “rebuilding” of a nation (no nation building promise of Bush?) while scaling back Veterans benefits just as thousands of soldiers need that support the most?
http://veterans.house.gov/democratic/press/109th/3-17-05budget.htm
Comments by mighty aphrodite — November 1, 2005 @ 6:22 pm
Nice try, though….your handlers would be pleased. Too bad facts stand in the way….
November 1st, 2005 at 7:18 pmAlito’s in. The GOP will pull out the nuclear option. The democrats know it. What is this about? The cynic in me says positioning for the ‘06 and ‘08 elections. The optimist in me says they are fed up.
November 1st, 2005 at 7:20 pmThe Republicans are going to regret that huge stink they made over Clinton’s stain on Lewinsky’s dress. It’s they’re turn now, the only difference being, the Republican stain is on the entire world. They’re finally getting what’s coming to them. And to quote our fearless leader, George W. Bush, “bring it on.â€
November 1st, 2005 at 7:23 pmHey, Blue State Red, how’s it hanging? Boy, we are sure lucky to have NED and aphrodite to give us a hand here. I notice it didn’t take you long to throw up all the smoke and mirrors in #3 with the half-baked facts for junior and co. And that crack about lefties being “all slime and no substance” in #38 was too much. And NED using the “slanderous pig” on 3rdman in #61 just shows how lowdown and vile us rightwingers will stoop to attack, attack, attact. Good job to both of you.
Correct me if I’m wrong, and I hate to critize another conservative, but you and NED both sound desperate—–kinda like Dr. Frist crying on CNN about how the democrats came right out and bitch-slapped him. I mean, it really is pretty funny if you think about it, watching the silly-assed Frist and that Mississippi racist, Trent Lott, both feining outrage and indignation. I mean, the lefties here are laughing, not me, of course. BTY, what’s you take on the national polls showing they agree with the actions of the Senate democrats over showing up the repubicans on this issue?
By the way, if you talk with aphrodite, tell her I still want to get into her pants—-I mean have a beer with her. But she better hurry, I’m thinking about putting the moves on on that bitch, NED.
November 1st, 2005 at 7:23 pm…AND the Pubbies caved, AND Frist whined like a little gitl, AND Trent Lott agreed with Chris Mathews that Bush should consider retiring Rove and some of his other tainted staffmembers, AND the MSM question tonight is how badly this will affect Alito’s chances for approval.
Not a bad afternoon’s work, Harry!
November 1st, 2005 at 7:25 pmMighty Aphrodite, on the subject of choice D, the Bush Administration have closed down more military bases in America than any other administration in history.
And you say that you fear that a Democratic-controlled Congress would do that? Lay off the crack pipe and wake up to reality, sister. Bush, who was too chickenhawk, like Henery Hawk, to serve his country,
destroyed what we need in this country: military security against incoming terrorism.
How hypocritical is your Bush Administration? How about 100,000%?
November 1st, 2005 at 7:33 pmOH, AND GIVE EM’ HELL, HARRY!
November 1st, 2005 at 7:33 pmAndrea Mitchell is a whore!
November 1st, 2005 at 7:40 pm#44 Clyde, That was damn funny!
November 1st, 2005 at 7:41 pmAverage TV Viewer,
What did the whore just say moments ago?
November 1st, 2005 at 7:46 pmDon’t tell me she’s asskissing Frist again.
Mitchell
Paraphrase: Dems weren’t concerned about legalities and reports prior to war.
November 1st, 2005 at 7:55 pmShe’s correct. But that’s not why today was significant.
Mighty Aphrodite:
You’re right! Republicans will BUILD our military might:
“After completing 20 planes for which we have begun procurement, we will shut down further production of the B-2 bomber. We will cancel the small ICBM program. We will cease production of new warheads for our sea-based ballistic missiles. We will stop all new production of the Peacekeeper [MX] missile. And we will not purchase any more advanced cruise missiles. The reductions I have approved will save us an additional $50 billion over the next five years. By 1997 we will have cut defense by 30 percent since I took office.”
— GHW Bush, 1992 SOTU Address
“Overall, since I’ve been Secretary, we will have taken the five-year defense program down by well over $300 billion. That’s the peace dividend. And now we’re adding to that another $50 billion of so-called peace dividend.”
— SECDEF Dick Cheney, 3 days later in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee Committee
Cheney, in fact, pushed for the majority of military programs cuts that he later accused Kerry of voting for. Most notably, Cheney opposed the purchase of M-1 Abrams tanks, and F-14 and F-16 jet fighters.
Feel safer, honey?
November 1st, 2005 at 7:55 pmGlobal terrorism experts say US is losing the war. Considering the republicans are in charge, of course we’re losing. The republicans have always sucked at foreign policy, this is just the latest example of their complete ineptitude.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051101/pl_nm/security_terrorism_dc
November 1st, 2005 at 7:56 pmGreat job, Senator Reid. Do it again tomorrow.
November 1st, 2005 at 8:04 pmYeah, Ryan.
At the Rumsfeld press meeting today they acknowledged the INCREASE in number and severity of IEDs, while simultaneoulsy reporting decrease in injuries due to precautions….
November 1st, 2005 at 8:10 pm#92, In the aftermath of the Senate news today I forgot that I also saw part of Rummy’s press briefing and it was the part you mentioned. How do they do get away with that? Between Rummy and Pace, they danced around so many questions, all they lacked was the top hat and tails.
November 1st, 2005 at 8:31 pmATV,
And yet October was one of the deadliest months on history, making this conclusion from rumsfeld seem completely propagandist huh?
Also, Iraq isn’t just the only issue. The fact is there are more folks around the world who’d like to take a pop shot at us than there was even 5 years ago thanks to the arrogant and inept policies of this administration. Bravado only works when the other guy has something to lose and can be bluffed. When the other guy feels backed in a corner, bravado only causes him to act.
It’s always a good question whether they are just truly this stupid, or if they simply like having terrorism as an excuse to execute their destructive policies. The whole PNAC/NeoCon treatise basically says that an attack and threat on american soil would be necessary to execute their agenda – so ending that threat seems counter to their interests. It’s why a part of me believes that they want the middle east riled up at us and for them to attack us to create fervent nationalism and facism.
November 1st, 2005 at 8:32 pmSadly, Ryan, I believe you are right. This bunch will create or do anything to get what they want. Total power…..Blessings
November 1st, 2005 at 8:57 pm#3
“Successful constitutional negotiations in Iraq…”
Successful for whom???
Have you read it? I tried to but couldn’t make myself go on after reading that it officially created an Islamic Republic and declared islamic law the basis for its legal code.
The BannaRepublicans want us to think that we fought for some kind of democratic ideal in Iraq.
How would you like to live under the new Iraqui constitution?
November 1st, 2005 at 9:01 pmYeah, Ryan, the world really loves Bush… Maybe that’s because while all the other heads-of-state at the Summit of the Americas on Friday at Argentina will have 3 bodyguards each, Bush is having 420 of them, just for starts!!! And guess who’s paying for that… Oh, yeah!! The world is a safer place….
November 1st, 2005 at 9:06 pmGet me some smelling salts! I feel faint! That Harry Reid is such a brute!
November 1st, 2005 at 9:08 pmAndrew,
Great point.
I guess he didn’t catch the part where the Iranian supreme mullah called the iraqi constitution a divinely inspired document. Clearly reichwingers live delusionally.
November 1st, 2005 at 9:11 pmMs. Aphrodite,
May I please borrow your fvck me pumps? I peed in mine today when that brute Harry Reid took me over his knee and gave me the spanking I so richly deserved. And since you are on defense and wearing your dancing shoes all the time, I thought you wouldn’t mind.
November 1st, 2005 at 9:12 pm#48 – STFU. You represent everything that is wrong with liberalism today. When this blows up in your face, I fully intend to come back here and gloat.
When Democrats burn another election because of their hate, we will point and laugh like we always do.
Comment by The Northeast Dilemma
That’s the trouble with trolls. Even after it blows up IN THEIR FACES, they still come back here and gloat. Delusional fVcks.
November 1st, 2005 at 9:17 pmAnd to remind everyone. Terrorism is WORSE because of Bush, not better.
Global terrorism experts say US is losing the war. Considering the republicans are in charge, of course we’re losing. The republicans have always sucked at foreign policy, this is just the latest example of their complete ineptitude.
http://news.yahoo.com/ s/ nm/ 20051101/ pl_nm/ security_terrorism_dc
November 1st, 2005 at 9:26 pmYou need your own blog, Ryan. Have you considered?
November 1st, 2005 at 9:30 pmI am Ryan’s Agent. Talk to me. He gets a full bene package and a 6 figure salary. I get 10%.
November 1st, 2005 at 9:34 pm#49 – the left-wing witch hunt is over. You will people will be exposed as the frauds you are and this will all backfire. By then, it will be too late. America will have already tuned you out.
Comment by The Northeast Dilemma
…. Shouted the delusional, raving lunatic as the busy progressive city dwellers tuned out his incoherent gibberish dropping coins in his cold, stale coffee as they passed him by .
November 1st, 2005 at 9:39 pmRyan’s Agent — hope you’re not planning on feeding your kids with the commission off Ryan’s blog… 10% of zero is zero.
Of course, with zero income you can still suck money off those of us who actually work for a living.
November 1st, 2005 at 9:43 pmThis is my first time here, but do you always let the trolls run the site the way they are tonight?
You know, if you ignore the weasels, they will leave – every response feeds them. YOU are keeping them here.
Stop acting like Democrats – ignore the trolls and take back your blog.
November 1st, 2005 at 9:47 pmglenn reynolds posts a reader email about what harry reid may or may not have forgotten about a certain senate intelligence committee report. i’m not sure exactly what he’s talking about.
of course, i remember when the republican party was about smaller government, about putting individuals before government and about putting states before the federal government.
apparently, all that has changed
November 1st, 2005 at 10:04 pmRyan’s Agent — hope you’re not planning on feeding your kids with the commission off Ryan’s blog… 10% of zero is zero.
Of course, with zero income you can still suck money off those of us who actually work for a living.
Comment by cynicon implant
Listen recticon implant,
Just because the right wing blogs suck shit out of yer mama’s ass, don’t mean the lefty blogs ain’t rolling in ad revenue. But you wouldn’t know that being a wingnut, would you?
Liberal Blogosphere Surpasses Cable News
Dailykos Is As Large As The Entire Conservative Blogosphere
November 1st, 2005 at 10:09 pmStop acting like Democrats – ignore the trolls and take back your blog.
Comment by Rico
You are a troll. You we will ignore.
November 1st, 2005 at 10:12 pmATV,
I like contributing to other blogs, but thanks for the compliment. It suits me to add my voice to the many blogs that are already thriving. I don’t feel the need to have my own monument to ego – that’s more of a republican/drudge sort of characteristic.
And the ‘cynicon implant’ argument is really amusing. See I work because I wish to, not because I have to. Unlike republican theives, hypocrites and villains, I practice what I preach.
November 1st, 2005 at 10:13 pmRico,
Thanks for the advice, but unless you can actually assist in the matter, you are as distracting as the trolls. Either help, or shut up and get out of the way.
And yet October was one of the deadliest months on history, making this conclusion from rumsfeld seem completely propagandist huh?
Also, Iraq isn’t just the only issue. The fact is there are more folks around the world who’d like to take a pop shot at us than there was even 5 years ago thanks to the arrogant and inept policies of this administration. Bravado only works when the other guy has something to lose and can be bluffed. When the other guy feels backed in a corner, bravado only causes him to act.
It’s always a good question whether they are just truly this stupid, or if they simply like having terrorism as an excuse to execute their destructive policies. The whole PNAC/NeoCon treatise basically says that an attack and threat on american soil would be necessary to execute their agenda – so ending that threat seems counter to their interests. It’s why a part of me believes that they want the middle east riled up at us and for them to attack us to create fervent nationalism and facism.
November 1st, 2005 at 10:24 pmAs Frist made his comments, Santorum stood behind him.
Santorum will be toast in ‘06, as well as Frist and DeWine. If Texans wise up about KBHutch, who supported the failed TSA, No child left behind and the Administration’s Iraq policy, the opportunity to defeat two Repubs with seats on appropriations will be at hand.
Unfortunately, the Dems. are defending more seats.
In ‘08 I cannot see how Ohio, New Mexico and Florida will be maintained in the GOP Column. Repubs have seats in competitive states of Oregon, Colorado, New Hampshire and Virginia.
But Democrat Mary Landrieu of Louisiana will fall.
November 1st, 2005 at 10:39 pmAndrew,
MyDD had a nice analysis of this. The democratic seats are less vulnerable than the republican ones according to polling. There’s a chance republicans could lose up to 5 to 6 seats based on the current candidates.
Go have a peak at their stuff if you’re interested – its on their main page.
November 1st, 2005 at 10:48 pmAnd to remind everyone why this meeting happened? A war based on lies. An occupation based on ineptitude. And what did we get for it?
Global terrorism experts say US is losing the global war on terror. Considering the republicans are in charge, of course we’re losing. The republicans have always sucked at foreign policy, this is just the latest example of their complete ineptitude.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051101/pl_nm/security_terrorism_dc
November 1st, 2005 at 10:55 pmDon’t worry, Andrew. I’ll have my anti-Hutchison campaign running in Dallas. Delay’s crap will also bring her down.
November 1st, 2005 at 11:13 pmDon’y buy into the GOP/Media frame. Reid did not shut down or close the Senate, he shut the doors to the Senate chamber. Shutting down the government is what the Republicnas did in 1994. That was a much different, much more radical, and extremely unpopular move. If the public thinks Reid shut down the Senate there could be backlash.
November 1st, 2005 at 11:14 pmSo Blue State Red, you believe everything is just fine in Iraq? Nothing to worry about, and the Iraqis have never had it so good.
Well I want you to watch this report from Channel 4 news BSR, and then tell us that everything in Iraq is just peachy. It’s a pity that it takes a British news broadcaster, to show the misery that the Iraqis citizens have to endure. Please everybody take a look at this news report, it’s heartbreaking.
We were supposed to liberate these people, not put them through a personal hell.
Here’s the link:
http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-storypage.jsp?id=1042
Then click on, watch the report
November 1st, 2005 at 11:19 pmYou can fool some of the people some of the time and you can fool all the people some of the time but you can’t fool all the people all the time Give the republican party enought rope and they will hang them selves.
November 1st, 2005 at 11:19 pm[...] See Mark Shmitt’s take at TPMCafe suggesting that today amounted to a massive shift in Senate power. See the transcript and video at Think Progess. Crooks and Liars has video of Reid’s press conference, as well. Filed under: Current Affairs Comments: [...]
November 1st, 2005 at 11:26 pm#107 is correct.
A RAND think tank Fellow leaked a Bit of Information, the Journalist stopped him for being off topic but it was to late. It was Caught.
RAND is planning to limit the Freedom of Speech on the Internet, his theory was that too many Concpiracy theories were abound on the Internet and that People were Buying into them.
Alert Citizens Take note of the Little Details, we should as progressives see this coming and prepare the proper defense for the Think Tank assault on Internet Freedom of Speech. Also note the Importance of the Plame gate and “The right to every mans evidence”
Okay heres how we must Frame our Minds, This is known as Pure Natural Logic. In numbers the answer is right or wrong, Positive or Negative, even or odd.
This does not apply to Humanity and confuses our Normal Logic.
Chicken or Egg?
Which does both need and use to continue life yet both discard?
The Shell.
That third answer we didnt see before.
Do you see?
We Must also practice to remove Bias. Bias keeps us from forming proper solutions.
Use This to your Advantage.
November 1st, 2005 at 11:47 pmNeocon cowards have no concept of what it is like to have a bullet pass through one’s shoulder. Still hurts after 40 years.
November 1st, 2005 at 11:50 pm“If you live long enough, you’ll get to be old.” All that means is that power is a pendulum that ALWAYS swings back and forth. It’s easy to forget how long the Democrats were in power and how corrupt they became. Basically, under Gingrich power began to flow back to the Republican party. And under DeLay and Rove the swing of the pendulum has reached it’s apogee on the right side. Hopefully, under Reid, the swing back towards center, and left, will not lend itself to the intellectual bankrupty and corporate cronyism that has festered under the current majority. Even if Alito is defeated, and even if the current majority party loses power in 2006, 2008 and beyond, the bills that are currently being run up will still be due. Will the Democrats have the guts to ask the American public to pay them? And more importantly, will the citizens of an American Empire in decline, even have the ability to pay? What happens if we won’t pay, or can’t?
November 1st, 2005 at 11:52 pmI love you, Harry! Kick the Republican stonewallers in the teeth!
November 1st, 2005 at 11:56 pmThe gov pays what it owes; unfortunately, it pays out of our pockets. A law stating that each administration pay its contribution to the national debt come from party funds would help to throttle the largesse of the current administration.
November 2nd, 2005 at 12:03 amJust got finished emailing my Senators – telling them to help Harry Reid. (Grow balls,etc…)
If the Dem’s finally stand up for themselves,… and of course we fellow AMERICANS… then we have a chance.
]Tried to call Reid’s #, but his mailbox was full.
November 2nd, 2005 at 12:17 amEveryone on this blog – regular contributor or “lurker” as I would be called because I’ve only read….(well, before now…) Google your Senators. Then email them. It doesn’t take long. Let them know you support Reid, and that they need to stand up behind him. Enough people, and it will mean the difference.
PLEASE.
email your Senators’. It’s quick and painless… for you.
But the rewards will be worth it, I bet!
Take back AMERICA!
#122
Good points.
You can see here the Problem that faces us;
http://budget.senate.gov/democratic/charts_taxcuts.html
Bushes backloaded Tax breaks loom large when Bush has safely left Office. We should Move the tax cuts Forward and start paying it down now, or just get rid of those cuts Period.
It was a Self -Serving tax cut anyway. In this Posters View.
The Ecomomists here may offer better insight into the Solution.
November 2nd, 2005 at 12:20 amI don’t understand all the trolls and right wing zealots that come on here and try to defend the Bush White House all the time. I mean, if they’re not oil company CEOs, and Bush cronies, what on earth do they possibly get in their continual desparation to defend Bush? Do they think that they will one day get a special medal for going on message boards and saying things like “we’re winning in Iraq” or “gas prices are falling, soon we’ll be back to .35 cents a gallon!”? Or is it just because they have no friends and delusions of power through posting insipid, delusional, factually incorrect comments on message boards, where the only people on earth will pretend to listen to them?
I mean, come on, this is what the AOL message boards are for, for all the delusional losers on “Team Bush”.
November 2nd, 2005 at 12:44 amSorry guys, Rico is right.
As I read all the frigging posts responding to #1 I could feel my temperature rising and nearly blowing a casket.
And of course, he had to be the first post on the thread.
He kinna reminded me of the old losers who’d run into the middle of the football field to get a shot at live TV. Or short of that, moon the spectators.
Number One is just a blogger mooner. Looking for the attention he obviously isn’t getting from his brethren.
Gotta say though, that guy who jumped in the middle of the field and nabbed the football, now that took “pelotas.”
November 2nd, 2005 at 12:46 am#107 Rico
“…do you always let the trolls run the site the way they are tonight? You know, if you ignore the weasels, they will leave – every response feeds them. YOU are keeping them here. Stop acting like Democrats – ignore the trolls and take back your blog.”
Here are some positive arguments for allowing “trolls” to post:
1) By allowing the posting of divergent points of view, people get to practice and hone their arguments and debating skills.
2) Common misconceptions and talking points can be debunked and disproved in a transparent manner. This can be a great tool for learning.
3) By allowing anyone to post, this site proves in no uncertain terms that Progressives value open and frank discussion.
FYI, by allowing “trolls” to post, this site is not allowing them to run things. If anything, the number of thoughtful retorts (ignoring some of the obvious and expected flames) proves otherwise.
November 2nd, 2005 at 12:51 amRemember you Catch more Flies with Honey!!
When Writing Senators do not let anger affect your words, keep it calm, short, to the point, courteous and based on Information or Reports that come from legitimate sources and can be backed up.
Canvass the Think Tank Web sites, often we have a portal to the future plans by these societies.
Here is the List of American think Tanks;
http://www.nira.go.jp/ice/nwdtt/2002/idx1/idxc1.html#United3
Think Ahead and Leave the Republicans Behind.
November 2nd, 2005 at 1:04 amFYI, by allowing “trolls†to post, this site is not allowing them to run things. If anything, the number of thoughtful retorts (ignoring some of the obvious and expected flames) proves otherwise.
Comment by M. Duchamp — November 2, 2005 @ 12:51 am
You don’t get it, or are trying not to get it…
I’m not talking about not letting trolls post – I’m talking about not ENGAGING them. It doesn’t matter how articulate you are – once you respond, THEY have won. You are on their playing field, and they have you talking about them, instead of using a post for something constructive and useful.
It takes discipline, and I don’t think many of you have that – that’s fine, but just admit that you engage the trolls for YOUR own ego, and at the disregard for others on this blog.
November 2nd, 2005 at 1:26 am“It’s why a part of me believes that they want the middle east riled up at us and for them to attack us to create fervent nationalism and facism.” Ryan Putz
****Brilliant, Putz!!! I knew you could explain all of the terrorists activities BEFORE Sept.11. As Mr. Aphrodite and I were discussing all of the terrorism, hijackings, bombings and murders during the 70’s and 80’s, I told him YOU would be able to come up with the most delusional explanation. You didn’t let me down!
#100 – Limp Wrist – Sorry, you can’t borrow my sexy stillettos – check with Ryanne, he/she might have them.
November 2nd, 2005 at 1:31 am“Feel safer, honey?
November 2nd, 2005 at 1:41 amComment by DogLackey — November 1, 2005 @ 7:55 pm”
***** As long as you have Dems willing to concede and unwilling to defend our country, I feel safer knowing a Repub is ready, willing and ABLE to kick ass! But getting out to the shooting range and practicing for a while sure makes me feel better, too. Ahhhh, the smell of gun powder is almost as good as the smell of fresh coffee.
#132
This stuff started happening long before 1970. And when I say stuff, I mean the right wing trying to stir up the Middle East. You must be very young and uneducated to think otherwise.
It is interesting to find out that Mr. Aphrodite is just and dumb as his dumb ass wife.
November 2nd, 2005 at 1:53 amBravo Sen. Reid. Republicans feeling the heat of a real leader who is forcing them to deal with their constitutional responsbilities and to be accountable for thier actions. Selling out our national security is unacceptable, selling out our financial stability is criminal, bowing to the fanatical religious right is unAmerican. Keep giving them HELL Harry.
November 2nd, 2005 at 1:54 am#131
I’m not talking about not letting trolls post – I’m talking about not ENGAGING them. It doesn’t matter how articulate you are – once you respond, THEY have won. You are on their playing field, and they have you talking about them, instead of using a post for something constructive and useful.
I think it’s too simplistic to state that “once you respond, THEY have won.” I will concede that this is probably the case when one responds or engages in personal attacks, but your statement does not fit every instance found here. Unfortunately, the reality of mass media is that unanswered lies get repeated and accepted as truth.
In regards to this blog, the trolls are already on the progressives’ playing field when they come here. Debunking lies and misinformation is a constructive process and lots of people here participate in doing so. Lot’s has been learned from what started out as an apparent turd posting.
I appreciate your sentiments, because I too would like to reduce the noise level here. But that’s the trade-off in an open forum. Democracy is a loud and often messy business.
November 2nd, 2005 at 1:54 am#136
“Unfortunately, the reality of mass media is that unanswered lies get repeated and accepted as truth.”
“Debunking lies and misinformation is a constructive process and lots of people here participate in doing so.”
“Democracy is a loud and often messy business.”
Exactly.
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:00 amI’ll just say this, and them I’m gone – Democracy is a loud and often messy business often because we MAKE IT SO.
And just like I don’t have to get into a discussion with anyone who is babbling in my face in public, I certainly don’t need to do it in cyberspace. And just like the whiny little brats they are, if you ignore their rants, sooner or later they get tired.
It has worked in other blogs, but it probably asks for more thought and coordiation than those that post here are capable of.
I’ll go back to other blogs, where they don’t leave a red carpet out for those who want to disrupt.
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:05 am#133
Anybody else notice that Mighty Aphrodite’s postings have completely changed? They sound a lot like old I-Right-I. Unless drugs are involved.
What is with this:
******
MA never did that before.
Weird.
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:06 am#132
“I knew you could explain all of the terrorists activities BEFORE Sept.11. As Mr. Aphrodite and I were discussing all of the terrorism, hijackings, bombings and murders during the 70’s and 80’s, I told him YOU would be able to come up with the most delusional explanation. You didn’t let me down!”
I hope that you and Mr. Aphrodite, in your discussion, also talked about the fact that the number of terrorist attacks across the globe tripled in 2004
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:08 am#138
Are you serious?
You want us to be quiet?
Wrong site.
“We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore!”
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:08 am#138
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:15 amBefore you leave forever, would you care to list a couple of those blogs? I have an interest in seeing how a clean and orderly democracy works (seriously).
Nothing the Liberals and Far-Left loons can do… Well, maybe they CAN cry and whine, and temporarily shut down the Senate for a few hours — but the Republicans still control the House and the Senate, the Executive Branch and soon our Supreme Court will be Conservative :O) Try pulling that ACLU liberal cr*p, when the HIGHEST COURT IN THE LAND IS CONSERVATIVE FOR THE NEXT 30 years!!! :O)
Can’t wait to see the nuclear option invoked, after the Dem’s fillibuster Alito… Then you’re REALLY hear some whining and crying!!!
Then you’ll start hearing all the fantasies about the ‘06 mid-term elections… Bottom line is though, the Dem’s don’t know HOW to win elections, and with a moron like Howard Dean at the helm, the Repubs will remain in power of the Congress — MARK IT DOWN!!!
And wait until we start kicking Syria’s butt and then soon after Iran’s… Then you’ll really hear em whine and cry some more!!!
God bless America!! THE GREATEST COUNTRY ON THE PLANET!!! Don’t like it?? Leave…
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:23 am#143
“Can’t wait to see the nuclear option invoked”
You are not up to date on your NeoCOn talking points, so let me help you out.
Currently the republican party has changed the term “nuclear option” to “Constitutional option.”
This has been a helpful hand from your local talking point distributor.
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:26 amComment by M. Duchamp — November 2, 2005 @ 2:15 am
I think Daily Kos is a great example – yes, they can ban trolls, but (believe it or not) one of the most creative ways of shutting up a troll I’ve seen there is to post recipies as replies!
It helps put their blabbering in perspective, they don’t like to be made fun of or dismissed, and the recipies are usually pretty good!
I apologize if I came off brusk, but I was really dissapointed in how many replies to the troll there were on this thread – do you realize that in the 138 comments tonight, over 40 were responding to trolls? and do you know how many troll posts you had? 7. That’s almost six of you responding to each troll post that is the intellectual equivalent of farting in your face.
Believe me – just let them post into cyberspace one thread, and you’ll be amazed how quickly they quit. Or take their original post, and attach a Progressive website, blog, or call to action – make them realize that each post they make is making you focus on what YOU need to do to initiate YOUR own agenda.
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:36 am#145
Yeah, Kos has some good threads, as do Brad’s Blog, the Huffington Post and Hullabaloo.
I imagine it could be somewhat of a let down coming here, expecting The Center for American Progress’ blog to be filled with well reasoned arguments, only to find a verbal mosh pit. Most people who post comments here, do so to vent rather than discuss. Think Progress is definately a different animal. I usually only read the parent posts (which are pretty good) and ignore the comment threads. Every now and then I dive in for the hell of it.
As for good recipes, my girlfriend swears by this site. ;)
November 2nd, 2005 at 3:04 amSorry guys, ranting here is how I keep from strangling republicans on the street at random. You could say that blowing off some willing trolls is a way for me to keep my sanity in RL.
And as Ryan points out, to both of you guys that are new here, if we do not shed light on their lies and let them continue to post false information, without addressing it, the false information remains with no truth shed onit..
November 2nd, 2005 at 3:16 am#150
No need to apologize. I’m sure there are some folks here who would encourage you to cut loose on your next stroll… .
You and Ryan Neat do some serious smack downs at times, but you both tend to stick to the facts when you make your points. I respect that. As my mom (a print journalist) told me growing up, “the truth can never be rude.” Besides, no one really has a right to tell anyone else what they can and can’t talk about. While I’d like less noise here (because there are some people who do make good points), I would never sacrifice free speech for it.
I tend to agree with Ryan in that the whole point of this site is to have an uncensored (and independent) venue for discussion. The fact that most threads contain a hefty number of flames and digressions actually mirrors the real world: kind of scary, when you think about it.
November 2nd, 2005 at 3:41 amKeep giving them hell ,damn I hope they do it every day and shut down the government! umm the quasi government that is….
bill frist that was funny …….
November 2nd, 2005 at 6:50 am“You could say that blowing off some willing trolls is a way for me to keep my sanity in RL.”
“…blowing off some willing trolls…”
Let’s leave your bathhouse adventures out of this, OK?
November 2nd, 2005 at 6:58 amJust look at RedState.org! They ban anyone who they determine is a “Moby” which I guess is a code word for anyone who’s not an ultra rightwing fascist gun toating hate monger. They call them “purges” and “sweeps”. It sounds EXACTLY LIKE NAZI GERMANY.
Thank you TP for letting the trolls post there fetid diatribes here and not forming squads of storm troopers to weed out the herd. If the progressive community were to resort to such tactics we would be sinking to their level. (P.S. It stinks at their level)
November 2nd, 2005 at 7:53 amAfter A little further reading and some thoughtful thunk by others, here, I am still new, I tend to agree with Ryan and Duchamp about allowing the trolls to post, Rico had a point that we should put forth more Ideas.
As we can see Debate Works, but only if those admit to accepting others Ideas as well.
I stand Corrected in this Regard and accept “trolls” not only for amusement, but for Freeper ‘thunk’ and of course the ritual abuse we get to inflict. =)
Please Stick Around NED, I think I love Yewww!!
November 2nd, 2005 at 7:59 amUp Early today heard the Rants…
Was it a Political Stunt?. Yes it was.
Did it work?. Yes it did.
Are the Republicans Angry, of course!
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:12 amBeing the Blatant Hypocrites they are.
Well I am glad they are doing this, but I have to wonder if it is just a power grab. If the dems (the ones on my side, or so they say) had any guts, or any honor, they would never have voted for Iraq in the first place and would have done all this right away. They are so spineless, always worried about their own and not about the nation.
High Power Rocketry
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:13 amBathroom Review
I have actually had the webmaster for redstate email me with threats. They did this in retaliation for an email I sent to one of their guest writers.
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:14 amredstate operates the same way a bush town hall meeting does. Arm twisting and gags and abuse of police power.
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:17 amThe trolls provide us with instant access to the wingnut propaganda machine talking points so we don’t have to put ourselves through actually listening to Limbaugh and Hannity, their phony chickenhawk bravado or their lies. I thank them for that.
It was pretty clear from watching the cable whores last night that the spin from the right is that the Dems are “obstructing” the business of that oh-so sacred body of pomposity and etiquette (barf!) and they are trying to do so in “secret”. Which is pretty hilarious coming from the most backhanded and secretive GOP in history. I’ll give Lou Dobbs credit though, he said: “Some would argue that the Democrats are forcing the Senate to actually DO IT’S JOB”. Turned my head. Nice going Lou.
The prostitutes on Hardball made it clear that in their opinion this was pure politics as opposed to the minority party having some courage, seeking the truth and doing it’s oversight job. Those frauds have been killing the Dems for months over their lack of courage and when they finally show some balls, we get this inside the beltway, all about politics spin. WTF! Matthews actually went so far as to say that they’re trying to distance themselves from their blank-check approval of Bush’s war now that things have gone sour, crocodile tears, etc. Well Chris, when would it be ok by you for our elected leaders to stand up and finally say ENOUGH? 5000 dead Americans? 20000? I was ready to throw the clicket through the screen.
Can’t it be about truth and justice FOR ONCE!
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:30 amDoes anyone else else routinely wonder why “The Northeast Dilemma” goes on these sites? Does he get off on it?
I’m not even trying to be funny… why would you troll a site where 98% of the users disagree with you? Do you actually think that you’ll change anybody’s minds?
It just worries me. There’s a lot more important things for you to worry about then trying to changet he mind of fairly-liberal people, who obviously aren’t going to think any differently because of what one person (who won’t even say his name) on the Internet claims.
Does it cause you stress? All you do here is argue and some holy deity. Even if you think (or are) right, that doesn’t mean a single person will ever take you seriously here.
I guess i can’t tell you to leave, or stop… obviously. But i still wonder what point you’re trying to get across. You’d be much better off going on a neutral-party site so you can have intellectual debates (which you’re clearly capable of doing) that aren’t biased towards either side from the get-go.
Just a suggestion…
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:34 amYou’re correct, Jay.
Matthews shapes his approach depending on his guest. It’s really old schtick.
I think the Republicans wanted Reid to do this. They know Bush has lost it. They know Bush is destroying the Republicans with every passing hour.
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:36 amI’ve been watching NED for a long time. He has changed. He is young and enjoys confrontation. At the same time he is not smart enough to communicate at a Redstate level.
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:38 amWe’re stuck with him.
Andrew, good question. I think that the hardcore rightwing base realizes that the only way that they win is through lies, stealing and smear. Their inferior numbers force them to try to appear more imposing and substantial by making more noise, being more outrageous etc. They need to create the illusion that there is this massive, angry, politically motivated middle American (the anti-tax, liberal-hating, average Joe), body politic that keeps pulling our politics to the right. Certainly, that force exists, its just not as fomridable as they’d like us to believe. In part it’s about making their vote-stealing look legitimate.
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:44 amDear Reichwing Nuts – Rule 21 was invoked 6 TIMES by you guys during your failed attempt to impeach Clinton. So you should ask Mr. Bill under-SEC-investigation Frist to stop being a crybaby and be a man and move on ….
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:45 amBill Frist is a dead man walking. Have you ever seen such a pus*y performance as his press conference yesterday. “I got slapped in the face” Whhaaaaaa. Well get used to it, cause there’s a lot more where that came from ya baby! He has no political savvy and no street smarts. He reaks of spoiled, Republican, silver-spoon royalty. No chance for him as president.
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:49 amYes Jay,
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:53 amHe searches for words. He tries to pass it off as intellectual pause. He’s in a constant state of researching all the misinformation in his mind.
But I do think there is some conflict deep inside of Frist. That’s why he was sputtering like an idiot when he said “AIDS can be transmitted thru sweat or tears” or “Terry Schiavo certainly seems to respond to visual stimuli.”
November 2nd, 2005 at 9:04 amTom Delay on the other hand is one cagey critter. His stupid smiling mugshot, forcing a judge change (how the hell is that legal? Looks like he redistricted his court appearance) and yesterday as he paraded through the courtroom he looked as if he was headed to his favorite teen whorehouse in the Northern Marianas Islands. That fu*ker is gonna take a few punches before he goes down, but you know what they say about the bigger they come……
November 2nd, 2005 at 9:08 amIt’s clear to me, with or without anyone supplying the smoking gun barrel and magic bullet evidence, just exactly what happened regarding the Mr Wilson goes to Africa/Mrs Wilson gets compromised (def. 6 in Webster’s) What I dont understand is the willingness of [publications] … (my attempt to be civil) like the Christian Science Monitor, to announce that it’s merely a superficial flesh wound (regarding the announcement of the indictments against the Vice Presidents Chief Of Staff) not to be worried about, as though defending people (Libby and accomplices) who betray and lie to the public trust is some legitimate emergency medical treatment for those that clearly dont represent the citizens of this country. Putting a band-aid on Scooter and dreaming up defensive reasons why he felt it necessary at the time to lie are treason also. This country is now dangerously divided because an obvious chicken hawk ding-bat has been allowed to buy his/their way past the american voters and represent a criminal corporate coup in the wake of an uproar of questionable sincerity over a indiscreet (and completely legal) sex act. We’ve been exposed broadside to domestic terrorism, retributal murder of innocent people in a globally recognized sovereign country involving the deaths of more than 2000 of our own military personnel, domestic issed biological warfare, and having been forced to finance everything from election fraud and closed campaign party exclusive events, to sailboat fuel while our citizens languish in a clearly septisizing wound of fuel costs, services program reduction, lay-offs, cutbacks, mergers, and fear-mongering psych-ops offered at regular intervals by what are now our trainers not our elected officials. The fact being that all these contemptible events have been foisted on us by the same entity over and again Not to mention the renagade acquisition of our courts on every level to now legislate rather than uphold and enforce the laws we promulagate, regulate and legislate through our representatives. Al Capone was not this sucessful at ruthlessness. Christian Science Monitor and the like live in an unabashed vaccum without shame or ideals of any kind.
November 2nd, 2005 at 9:16 amThe rumor is that now there is a November 14th deadline for a report from a group of three Republican and three Democratic senators on the status of the Intelligence committee phase two inquiry. Does anyone have a link or authentic source ?
November 2nd, 2005 at 9:23 amFrom the San Jose Mercury News:
On Tuesday, Reid and Frist agreed to name three Democrats and three Republicans on the intelligence committee who’ll report to the leadership in two weeks on the progress of the panel’s investigation.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/13054979.htm
November 2nd, 2005 at 9:29 amtomaig:
Nice to see you on TP!
I guess you got tired of being boned up the butt over at NewsHounds.
November 2nd, 2005 at 9:35 amRememba Fizzle Sumpter
Rememba tha Maine
Rememba tha Motherfucka Pearl Harba Brotha tha Gizzy of Tonkin
Rememba 911
All false fizzle operations ta spiznawn tha spurious collective wisdom of tha ignorant democracy straight trippin’ fizzy sippin’ public into a war which they would neva hizzy supported otherwise cuz I’m fresh out the pen. Whizzay makes you thiznink Hillary or Dean or brotha aint wolves ready ta devour you aswell?
November 2nd, 2005 at 9:39 amway to go, Harry Reid! I just with they hadn’t used THIS still photo of him from the meeting yesterday… I can see the neocon pundits calling it the “Finger-wagging Incident, Take 2″
November 2nd, 2005 at 10:44 amisn’t it just amazing how the Bush Regime, and the Neocons, led by a “Blind..trust me (former surgeon)Frist, and his soon to be fellow partner in crime Delay, are so threatened by the truth ever since they “assumed” the positions, that they are still on a “Discredit the truth at all costs”..and all you right wingnuts, I’m a vet..so if you want to throw patriotic labels, and all that other stuff ..well I been on the line, but it wouldn’t surprise me, since y’all have impugned the Honorable service of a former POW in your own party, (yes the senator from Arizona, and another combat vet John Kerry, because they utilized the right to speak their minds from time to time, and didn;’t follow the lemming line of the radical neo-conservatives falling over the cliff. I say have a REAL IMPEACHMENT for REAL REASONS this time.
November 2nd, 2005 at 10:51 amtomaig:
Nice to see you on TP!
I guess you got tired of being boned up the butt over at NewsHounds.
Comment by RunningDogLackey
There tiny little troll legs have then running from blog to blog to try and put out all the fires since Sen. Polly Prissypants Limp Frist let the entire world see what a bunch of old women the GOP really is. The GOP is dead. Americans want strong leadership that will fight with all the vigor of it’s convictions. Harry Reid is that kind of leader with that of conviction. As opposed to the GOP kind of conviction, that usually comes after indictment.
November 2nd, 2005 at 11:11 amIt has worked in other blogs, but it probably asks for more thought and coordiation than those that post here are capable of.
I’ll go back to other blogs, where they don’t leave a red carpet out for those who want to disrupt.
Comment by Rico
Name one.
November 2nd, 2005 at 11:21 amGIVE EM HELL HARRY~!
November 2nd, 2005 at 11:40 amIncreasing competence of ARVN troops and security.
Gevernment elections held.
Constitution ratified.
U.S. body count down.
Enemy body count soaring.
KBR investigated for building torture chambers (Tiger Cages)
Haliburton making a fortune on war profiteering.
Government and Pentagon lying through their teeth.
We’re winning this war!
Oops! Sorry; got trapped in a time warp. I thought we were in Viet Nam, it all seems so familiar.
Aged ’60’s teen-ager.
November 2nd, 2005 at 12:04 pmWOOHOO! Finally the Bush criminals are being indicted and the Democrats are finding out the truth about the lies that led to war. The conservatives are peeing their pants, and rightly so. Bill Frist’s whining is so typical of a Republican party so used to breaking the rules that they can’t stand it when someone calls them out on it. I can’t wait for the senior Bush advisors to be thrown in prison.
November 2nd, 2005 at 1:42 pmYou left out the best parts:
“The record will show that within hours of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, senior officials in this Administration recognized these attacks could be used as a pretext to invade Iraq”
and
“when General Shinseki indicated several hundred thousand troops would be needed in Iraq, his military career came to an end. When then OMB Director Larry Lindsay suggested the cost of this war would approach $200 billion, his career in the Administration came to an end. When U.N. Chief Weapons Inspector Hans Blix challenged conclusions about Saddam’s WMD capabilities, the Administration pulled out his inspectors”
November 2nd, 2005 at 1:56 pm#141 – I knew you could explain all of the terrorists activities BEFORE Sept.11. As Mr. Aphrodite and I were discussing all of the terrorism, hijackings, bombings and murders during the 70’s and 80’s, I told him YOU would be able to come up with the most delusional explanation. You didn’t let me down!â€
I hope that you and Mr. Aphrodite, in your discussion, also talked about the fact that the number of terrorist attacks across the globe tripled in 2004
*****Unfortunately we can expect more attacks – It’s called a WAR!!! But you still have not explained the rash of terrorism or hijackings in the 70’s or 80’s. You’d probably sleep with the enemy if you thought you’d live through the night. Mr. Aphrodite is right – you “progressives” are Pathetic wimps!!!
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:29 pm#141 – I knew you could explain all of the terrorists activities BEFORE Sept.11. As Mr. Aphrodite and I were discussing all of the terrorism, hijackings, bombings and murders during the 70’s and 80’s, I told him YOU would be able to come up with the most delusional explanation. You didn’t let me down!â€
I hope that you and Mr. Aphrodite, in your discussion, also talked about the fact that the number of terrorist attacks across the globe tripled in 2004″
*****Unfortunately we can expect more attacks – It’s called a WAR!!! But you still have not explained the rash of terrorism or hijackings in the 70’s or 80’s. You’d probably sleep with the enemy if you thought you’d live through the night. Mr. Aphrodite is right – you “progressives” are Pathetic wimps!!!
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:34 pmTerrorists like YOU aphrodite always bring more violence. You and Osama would kill the whole world who disagreed with you given the chance.
The only true wimps are the chickenhawks that send others to die for their ‘bad wars’. You are the wimp, but then again you already knew that.
If MrAphrodite is such a he-man he should be in Iraq. If he isn’t there – then he’s the wimp, and you’re the wimp enabler. But considering you do all of his talking for him, clearly that’s always been the case.
Republican men are such pu$$ie$
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:55 pmMy thoughts started to crystalize back when the the FEMA disaster with katrina occured. And Reid said it yesterday after the closed session. Where in the hell is the oversight. Congress has two tasks that I can see.
1) Enacting legislation (laws)
2) Oversight of the executive branch
Without oversight, incompetence is NOT identified and a situation like Katrina can occur. Now take it one step further and we got ourselves a war that wasn’t needed and draws limited resources away from the fight against terrorism (Osama Bin Laden)
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:57 pm#185
So, in fighting a broad, clumsy and unfocused “war on terror”, we actualy bring about more terrorism… I’ll let your poorly reasoned statement in your pervious post speak for itself.
Richard Clarke, Brent Sowcroft to name a few well respected former national security figures have argued that our presence in Iraq is creating a perfect training ground for future terrorists and does more to incite global terror than curtail it. Ta Ta.
November 2nd, 2005 at 3:02 pmMore worried about the hijacking of the mentally retarded right wing pea brains than a few airliners.You dopes have done 100 times more damage. Now get back to the right wing radio for your next thoughts.
November 2nd, 2005 at 3:02 pmJust to be nice; If you exercise your brain it will get bigger, just like a muscle. So, stop watching exercise programs and go for a walk and stop presenting second hand thoughts as your own and use your own noodle.
Mighty Blowhard,
Your definition of war is more about world domination and oil syphoning. The real definition of war is about fighting anyone who threatened and attacked a country.
I guess you like bombing countries that have nothing to do with threatening us just because your boys want to get their grubby hands on all that oil that they think is in those areas they bombed. They love oil.
They bath in it and probably masturbate in it.
That is what this war is about.
November 2nd, 2005 at 3:46 pmI am amazed at how easy people will compremise their values and morals based on the tactics of a rumor i.e. “the terrorists will come here…”. Well I hate to burst anybody’s security bubble but courtsey of the NRA, any nut with a gun can join in and spread havoc and or terror at will, and no suprise they are here now and have been for some time. Domestic violence is a place of terror for a good percentage of Americans. And the mythical drug war is a bastion for terrorists with easy money and plenty of potential markets. And drugs only get cheaper and more available. Makes wonder what the next designer drug will be after “crack” ecstasy and meth… Get real America and clean our own streets before we go making imposessions upon others. We are only lying to the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan when we preach democracy but practice hegemony.
Semper Fidelis
November 2nd, 2005 at 3:48 pmIf this is sign of the new Fighting Democratics for Truth, Justice, and the American Way, then I’m all for it. Good job, Mr Reid! We need more fires placed under the butts of the Oil Cabal and their ethically bankrupt GOP Slaves.
BlueFL
November 2nd, 2005 at 3:57 pmMy mom came home the other night and she poured hot grease over my ass , my back and my genitals, and then my shoes fell off.
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:20 pmWhat has that got to do with anything??
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:23 pmCause I cant see Dammit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 2nd, 2005 at 8:24 pmThe answer, friends, is all contained in the mystery of the source of the pre-war intelligence – and Harry Reid knows this.
The niger hoax was cooked in Michael “universal fascist” Ledeen’s kitchen.
Universal fascism is the drive to destroy the institution of the modern nation state, through tax cuts, war, terrorism … whatever it takes.
The Cheney-Libby-Ledeen-Franklin crowd are a literal “chaos faction” aiming to blow up the middle east and the planet with it, ushering in a new era of global empire and dictatorship.
Anyone who tells you different is either complicity, ignorant or both. The facts speak for themselves to those with their heads on their shoulders, not up their arses.
November 3rd, 2005 at 7:54 am[...] [...]
November 3rd, 2005 at 10:53 amRolling Right Along
Think Progress is worshipping Harry Reid who looks lost and clueless as he shuts down the Senate — for a whole two hours.
November 3rd, 2005 at 8:25 pmBe not alarmed, gentle conservatives. The cries are all hollow. The power belongs to the president and his party. Lefties are …
Remember the “Bush lied” mantra that helped John Kerry lose the 2004 election? Well, it’s back. I guess it worked so well the first time, the party bent on suicide has resurected it. You see, in their alternate reality, they think now that Scooter Libby has been indicted, it’s time to dust it off and try, try, try again.
That’s why Harry Reid pulled that ever so transparent stunt of invoking a rarely used Senate rule to call the Senate into closed session a few weeks ago, demanding to know why Phase II of the intelligence review leading up th the war wasn’t yet completed. He neglected to mention that Republicans were ready to present the review back in May, but it’s been stonewalled by Democrats ever since.
After the closed session, Reid said, “The Libby indictment provides a window into what this is really all about, how this administration manufactured and manipulated intelligence in order to sell the war in Iraq and attempted to destroy those who dared to challenge its actions.”
Er… Harry, I hate to bring this up, but the Libby indictment has nothing to do with the intelligence that lead to war. Why not try LISTENING to the words of Special Prosector Patrick Fitzgerald himself:
“This indictment is not about the war. This indictment’s not about the propriety of the war. And people who believe fervently in the war effort, people who oppose it, people who have mixed feelings about it should not look to this indictment for any resolution of how they feel or any vindication of how they feel….The indictment will not seek to prove that the war was justified or unjustified. This is stripped of that debate, and this is focused on a narrow transaction. And I think anyone who’s concerned about the war and has feelings for or against shouldn’t look to this criminal process for any answers or resolution of that.”
In other words, Libby was NOT indicted for outting Joe Wilson’s CIA wife, Valerie Phlame. No one was. The charge is simply that Libby may or may not have lied about the dates and times he spoke to a couple of reporters. THAT is what he’s indicted for. The ridiculous Democratic dream of bringing down Rove, Cheney and impeaching the President has been blown to bits. Because it was and continues to be the biggest crock of do-do Democrats have ever tried to serve up to a public that deserves better. Much better.
PS: In fact, Bob Woodward has confessed HE knew Valerie Phlame was CIA a month before the Novak article. The Fitzgerald case against Libby is fizzling away.
November 18th, 2005 at 11:20 am[...] (.mov via Think Progress) // Used for showing and hiding user information in the comment form function ShowUtils() { document.getElementById(”authorinfo”).style.display = “”; document.getElementById(”showinfo”).style.display = “none”; document.getElementById(”hideinfo”).style.display = “”; } function HideUtils() { document.getElementById(”authorinfo”).style.display = “none”; document.getElementById(”showinfo”).style.display = “”; document.getElementById(”hideinfo”).style.display = “none”; } [...]
January 7th, 2006 at 4:13 pm[...] Democrats, Republicans have not given you any reason to trust that they (a) will complete the investigation, and (b) produce neutral, factual results. Â I direct you to Exhibit A, Phase II of the pre-war intelligence investigation. Â Phase II of the investigation was to begin on February 12, 2004. Â It was supposed to answer that crucial question of whether the Executive Branch misled the American public (and Congress) into an unnecessary war. Â It has been over two years since Phase II was to begin, and Chairman Roberts has still blocked the report. On November 1, 2005, after what was at that time over a year and half of Republican stonewalling, Minority Leader Harry Reid made this statement (QT movie) on the floor of the Senate: Mr. President, enough time has gone by. I demand, on behalf of the American people, that we understand why these investigations are not being conducted. And in accordance with rule XXI, I now move that the Senate go into closed session. [...]
March 23rd, 2006 at 8:50 am[...] Remember November 1, 2005? That’s the day that Harry Reid forced the Senate into closed session over the issue of prewar intelligence in Iraq. The blogosphere was full of love for Senator Reid that day; I even made a trek over to his PAC’s website and dropped a $10.01 donation for his efforts. In his comments, Reid had fighting words for the GOP and their obstruction of the investigation: Despite the fact that the chairman of Senate Intelligence Committee publicly committed to examine these questions more than a year and a half ago, he has chosen not to keep that commitment. Despite the fact that he restated the commitment earlier this year on national television, he has still done nothing. … [...]
July 23rd, 2006 at 1:38 pm